I have now driven all engine types and models and have decided to go with the CRD despite the wait. If the JGC only came with the 3.6L V6, we possibly would be buying something else, it just didn't excite us one bit. Then drove the Hemi and in our opinion, wow, it was a different car, the 3.6L was definitely scratched at that point. Obviously common sense said we need to drive the CRD (for the running cost reduction) and found it obviously developed power/torque differently (some lag) but it would then pull strongly. As this would still satisfy someone that has a 2.5L petrol turbo as their other car, the CRD is our choice even though we do virtually no towing (100km/yr max). On a 5yr lease the CRD is about $50/mth more than the 3.6L but as mentioned the resale is higher at the end anyway and I have enjoyed the ride!

Same here. We test drove them all and the CRD won us over as well. It was chalk and cheese compared with the 3.6. The CRD has more torque than the hemi and excellent fuel economy to boot. FYI, mine was ordered second week of January. The oberon docked at port kembla two days ago and am expecting pick up in ten days or so.

Same here. We test drove them all and the CRD won us over as well. It was chalk and cheese compared with the 3.6. The CRD has more torque than the hemi and excellent fuel economy to boot. FYI, mine was ordered second week of January. The oberon docked at port kembla two days ago and am expecting pick up in ten days or so.

Mate, thats a hell of a wait, but I am three days in with my CRD and it is AWESOME!! You're gonna wear a big smile for weeks once you pick it up. Done 350km and the fuel gauge has only moved a quarter of a tank!! I'm running it in per the manual (less than 60% thottle for the first few hundred kms) and it is a soooo quick off the line...super quiet but you get a sort of V8 rumble when you push it a bit. I'm told it takes around 10k before it really loosens up. Not sure if thats true, but if this is the sign of things to come.....bring it on!!!

On a trip, you can expect more than a 1,000klms out of a tank of diesel. That is providing you are doing motorway cruising and not laying the boot into it too many times. I filled mine yesterday, and the DTE showed 999 klms. It is still showing that after I drove home, which was a further 20klms.
The average consumption is around 8.8 l/p100 I am quite happy with that, especially after getting out of my Territory Turbo.

I just did the trip from Melbourne to Thredbo fully loaded with 5 adults, cargo area filled with food and clothing and snow gear on the roof basket. averaged 10.5L v 100km. Engine never hesitated on the climb from Khancoban up to Thredbo. Even my 21yo son said, "Dad, don't worry about the chip or bigger exhaust, this thing already goes hard".
The other thing that surprised me was no sag in the rear end with iit fully loaded.

I just did the trip from Melbourne to Thredbo fully loaded with 5 adults, cargo area filled with food and clothing and snow gear on the roof basket. averaged 10.5L v 100km. Engine never hesitated on the climb from Khancoban up to Thredbo. Even my 21yo son said, "Dad, don't worry about the chip or bigger exhaust, this thing already goes hard".
The other thing that surprised me was no sag in the rear end with iit fully loaded.

Yep, I've cancelled the chip. This beast is fast enough, especially in "sport". (PS, I wanted the white because apart being my favorite, there was not many around. I've seen three in three days!! The one today however had an ugly ding in passenger door).

The lag seems to be more related to the gearbox. After our 10,000km service it is noticeably better. All turbos will have lag to some degree, it just feels worse due to the hit of power when the boost kicks in. The variable vane turbo minimizes the lag to some degree, but not entirely.